Some jewelry is worth a lot of money because of the type of material it’s made out of or the history of its past owners. Don’t let a fun, exciting trip to the jewelry store become stressful if your favorite pieces’ price tags far exceed the amount you can afford to pay for them. There are dozens of types of materials that are used to make different pieces of jewelry, and they each come with a different price tag. Naive shoppers can easily wind up spending more than is necessary. Use these following tips to help you purchase jewelry wisely.
Use a polishing cloth to keep your jewelry clean and free from damage. This is a natural way to shine all of your jewelry without relying on abrasives or other harsh chemicals. Polish your jewelry with a two-sided polishing cloth as you might buff a lovely glass. Use the one side designated for polish, and the other for making it shine.
Use a soft cloth on your jewelry as often as you want. This is a chemical-free method to maintain the appearance of your fine jewelry. It’s easy, just use the dual-sided cloth to wipe down your jewelry, just as you would polish a beautiful glass. Use a two-sided cleaning cloth, one for polishing and one for shining.
Avoid harsh chemicals like bleach, ammonia and acetone that may permanently damage your jewelry. This can cause the stones to lose their luster in addition to eating away the enamel on any of the pieces.
Sterling Silver
A magnet is a useful tool when shopping for jewelry in sterling silver. If the piece you are examining is not silver and is made from non-precious metal, it will be attracted to the magnet. In addition, sterling silver pieces are always stamped with silver hallmarks indicating such factors as the degree of purity, the manufacturer’s symbol, and the date of manufacture. Some of the most common hallmarks are “925, “ster,” “sterling,” and “sterling silver.” Be wary of pieces that lack any silver hallmarks, as this is an indication that they’re not genuine sterling silver.
When you go shopping for sterling silver jewelry pieces, take with you a magnet and a monocle. Magnets attract non-precious metals, and you can use this fact to detect fakes. True sterling silver will also have a mark on it to indicate its quality, such as “.925” or “ster”. If the piece of presumed silver is not marked, be skeptical that is real silver. It could very well be a fake.
Know which kind of stone you are buying with your jewelry. The types of gems available are synthetic, imitation and natural. Imitation has little value, as it is generally plastic, while synthetic and natural are considered to be real gems. Natural gems are dug up from the ground, and synthetic gems are man-made in a lab.
Identify the kind of stone in every piece you consider. There are basically three distinct types: natural gems, synthetic gems and imitation stones. Natural and synthetic are both real, while imitation is just basically colored plastic. The difference here, however, is that synthetic is man-made in a laboratory while natural is found buried in the earth.
Jewelry is something that can last generations. When choosing jewelry, you should always buy from a reputable store or dealer, in order to ensure you only get high-quality pieces. Any high-quality jewelry will show superior craftsmanship, and will be well-made. The jeweler should tell you about who made the piece and the origin of the stones. When you choose a piece of jewelry that is high in quality, it can become a heirloom that will last forever.
Most jewelry is intended to last for a life time. When you look for a piece of jewelry, always use a dealer with a good reputation, ensuring that the piece you choose is of high-quality. Any piece that is high quality will have its craftsmanship and quality shining through. A credible jeweler should offer a complete history of the piece, including information about the creator and the source of the gemstones. Put effort into your choice, so you can be sure that the piece will last generations.
If you own costume jewelry, it is important to properly care for it. Costume jewelery pieces can be expensive but they are not worth the investment if they look too old. Stick to pieces that are in good to excellent condition, as they are the best investments.
When you’re considering a diamond purchase, plan on shopping around and making comparisons. Find a few reference pieces that you like, and see if other diamonds can do better. There are ways to hide some of a diamond’s imperfections, so be very particular about each one you view.
Consider how you should best clean each piece of your jewelry. Different kinds of jewelery will require you take care of them in different ways. Processes that may work for one type of jewelry may be harmful to others. Ask a jeweler to make sure you know how to maintain your items.
When buying a new piece of jewelry, be sure to check on the current fashion trends. You will enjoy your jewelery even more if you can get it on sale.
Make sure you look into the history of your gemstone, especially if it was treated at all. It is important to understand the varying treatment processes because each one requires a specific care regimen. Knowing the proper care techniques for your gemstone will prevent you from accidentally damaging it by stripping it of its protective treatment.
Going through a day wearing the jewelry will let you get familiar with how it hangs and whether or not it will be comfortable. You’ll also be able to get a better idea of the piece’s durability.
If you are trying to sell jewelry online, it is important to post ample photographs from many angles so that each piece is presented in a pleasing and accurate way. This is quite key since your customer can not physically see and feel the jewelry when purchasing it online. Take pictures of jewelry in an environment that will put the focus on just the piece, not the background.
Do some research on the best way to clean your particular piece of jewelry. Metals, gemstones and settings all have different storage and cleaning requirements. A treatment that polishes one stone may scratch another stone. When in doubt about the right way to maintain your jewelry, just ask a professional jeweler.
Take the time to shop at several different stores, both online and offline, when considering a diamond jewelry purchase. Every diamond is unique in both its beauty and imperfections. You may not care too much about some flaws if you realize they’re difficult to discern. In addition, each jeweler evaluates the flaws as a basis for setting different prices. Do your research and shop smart in order to find the best diamond at the best possible price.
Costume Jewelry
A clasp that will hold up is a very important part of any necklace or bracelet. Without something that is solid, your chain, pendants and costly stones could be lost. If you have expensive or heirloom items, invest in a safety clasp. Some people may even choose to put a second or third clasp on their priceless pieces to keep them safe while wearing them.
Costume jewelry has different, specific care requirements. A fair amount of costume pieces are set with glue. Avoid using harsh chemicals on these pieces, and do not immerse them. Use a gentle cloth, like microfiber, to clean it. One wet, then another, dry. This will help your costume jewelry to continue looking great.
Try using robe hooks for storing your necklaces in a tangle-free way. They can be hung anywhere, like a closet door, and give you the ability to organize your necklaces by size or color if you want. Not only is this a decorative touch to your intimate spaces, but it will protect the necklaces from being damaged by excessive contact with other pieces in a small box.
Now that you have finished reading, you should be more knowledgeable about many different aspects of jewelry. Not only are you going to save yourself some time, but you also are going to save quite a few dollars by following the tips and tricks in this article.
Pair large, gaudy jewelry with quiet, simple outfits. Wear solid colors to bring attention to a fabulous item of jewelry.